First electronic prescriptions go live

Thursday, July 30, 2009

The NHS's Electronic Prescription Service (EPS) has hit a major milestone with the first patients having their prescriptions transferred electronically.

Liptrots pharmacy is the first in the country to implement release two of EPS, meaning it can receive electronic prescriptions from the Calverley Medical Centre.

The pharmacy has been using the first release – which guarantees compatibility with NHS systems and includes a barcode on the paper prescriptions for easy dispensing – since 2007.

Tim Donohoe, programmes and operations director for Connecting for Health, said: "This is a key milestone for EPS. We have been working closely with the suppliers, CSC/TPP and Cegedim, as well as Leeds PCT, Calverley Medical Centre and Liptrots pharmacy in Leeds to introduce EPS Release 2, which will bring real benefits to patients, GP practices and pharmacy staff.

"We will now focus on learning the lessons from this initial implementation and encouraging other suppliers and PCTs to progress with their plans to deliver the benefits of EPS Release 2 to every GP practice and pharmacy in England."